Defendant fails to show up for trial

A Leavenworth woman accused of leaving her baby alone in an alley failed to show up for her trial, and a warrant has been issued for her arrest.

Comment

By John RIchmeier

The Leavenworth Times - Leavenworth, KS

By John RIchmeier

Posted Apr. 8, 2013 at 5:38 PM
Updated Apr 8, 2013 at 5:40 PM

By John RIchmeier

Posted Apr. 8, 2013 at 5:38 PM
Updated Apr 8, 2013 at 5:40 PM

A Leavenworth woman accused of leaving her baby alone in an alley failed to show up for her trial, and a warrant has been issued for her arrest.

Jury selection for the trial of Elizabeth A. Michaud had been scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Monday in Leavenworth County District Court. But people who showed up for jury duty were dismissed at 9:20 a.m. because Michaud, who's been free on bond, had failed to appear, according to court records.

"We were ready to go," said County Attorney Todd Thompson, whose office is prosecuting the case.

Michaud's attorney, Elaine Halley, also was present Monday.

Michaud is charged with aggravated endangering a child. She is accused of leaving her infant son alone May 3 in an alley in Leavenworth. Authorities believe she was under the influence of drugs or alcohol the night of the incident.

Michaud also failed to appear in court Monday afternoon for a hearing in a new case that's pending against her. In this case, she faces charges of unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. These crimes are alleged to have occurred Nov. 10 in Leavenworth.

For both of the cases, warrants were issued for Michaud's arrest.

Halley appeared for the defense in the drug case Monday. But she requested not to be appointed as Michaud's attorney in this new case.

"I've had a difficult time in my other case," she said.

District Judge Gunnar Sundby said he would wait to appoint another attorney until Michaud is in custody and informed that Halley has declined the appointment.